Teaching A2 Biology Practical Skills

Appendix 2
Practical 3 - N (d)(m)Urine Analysis Evaluating and reporting on observations
This practical focuses on Recording data, drawing conclusions and evaluation.
You will also be developing other assessed skills throughout the practical
Intended learning outcomes
By the end of this practical and its write-up you should be able to:

Use relevant scientific methods to produce a set of data.

Record data reliably, using appropriate scientific terminology where necessary.

Diagnose a medical condition by analysis of a sample of urine.

Analyse data and produce a reasoned, valid conclusion.

Support your conclusion with evidence gathered from a reference table.

Safety information
You should wear eye protection throughout this practical.

Sodium chloride is an irritant.

Ammonia is corrosive and dangerous to the environment.

Benedicts solution is harmful and dangerous to the environment.

Background information

The urine can be used to find out about a persons health because of the role of
the kidney in homeostasis.

Urine analysis is a particularly useful tool for diagnosis of some metabolic

conditions relating as toxins and excess substances are filtered into urine.

Typical tests that would be performed on a urine sample include odour, clarity,
colour, pH and presence or absence of protein or glucose.

A table of reference values for healthy urine has been provided for comparison.
The terms used in the table those appropriate in describing a urine sample.

The presence of glucose can be tested using Benedicts reagent.

The presence of protein can be tested using the Biuret test.

You will carry out an analysis of 3 urine samples in order to diagnose medical
conditions.
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Appendix 2

Read the information above.

Produce a results table for your investigation.

Familiarise yourself with the reference values for urine tests.

The urine samples have been obtained from patients who may be suffering from
either protein urea, diabetes or renal disease. The urine samples are artificial as
actual samples may contain pathogens.
Table of reference values

Colour
Appearance
Odour
pH
Specific gravity
Protein
Glucose
Ketones
Microscopic
examination
RBC
WBC
casts

Normal Reference Values

Adult
Child
Light straw / Dark amber Light straw / Dark yellow
Clear
Clear
Aromatic
Aromatic
4.5 8.0
4.5 8.0
1.005 1.030
1.005 1.030
3
2-8mg/dm
Negative
Negative
Negative
Negative

Newborn
Clear
5.0 7.0
1.001 1.020

Rare
0-4
Rare

3-4
Occasional

Method
Use the following procedure to test each of the urine samples.
Initial examination of urine
1

Obtain approximately 10 cm3 of one of the urine samples.

Examine the urine visually for odour and clarity, describe what you see and
record this in your results table.

Comment on the odour of the urine sample by wafting vapours toward you nose
with your hand DO NOT put your nose directly over the sample and inhale.

Testing for pH
1

Tear off approximately 3 cm of universal indicator paper

Briefly dip the paper in the urine.

Remove the paper and compare its colour against a universal indicator chart.

Record the pH in your results table.

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Appendix 2
Testing for protein
1

Put 2 cm3of the urine sample into a clean test tube.

Put 1 cm3 of Biuret A (sodium hydroxide) into the test tube.

Put 1 cm3 of Biuret B (copper II sulphate) into the test tube.

Observe any colour change and comment on whether protein is present in your
results table.

Testing for glucose

1

Put 2 cm3 of the urine sample into a clean boiling tube.

Add 2 cm3 of Benedicts reagent to the urine.

Heat the urine sample in a boiling water bath.

Observe any colour change and comment on whether glucose is present in your
results table.

Diagnosis
1

Using the reference table of normal values, identify any abnormalities of the
urine sample.

Using the clinical information table, make a diagnosis based on your findings.

Write-up

Prepare a report of your findings considering:

the condition from which each person may be suffering
the scientific explanations of your conclusions that relate to kidney
function.
an explanation of the changes in metabolism that have caused the
changes in the urine.

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Appendix 2
Lesson Plan
Urine Analysis Evaluating and reporting on observations
Context
A practical investigation set in the context of 9700 Syllabus section N excretion,
control of water and metabolic wastes. The investigation will improve
understanding of urine production and removal of metabolic wastes and develop a
students evaluating skills. It is anticipated that students will have completed an AS
practical course so that they will have good basic practical skills and will be familiar
with tests for reducing sugar and protein.
Key aims of lesson
This practical is designed to develop the skills of making and recording observations.
In addition students will also evaluate observations and experimental data in relation
to theoretical knowledge.
Intended learning outcomes
By the end of this practical and its write-up a student should be able to:

Use relevant scientific methods to produce a set of data.

Record data reliably, using appropriate scientific terminology.

Diagnose a medical condition via analysis of a sample of urine.

Analyse data and produce a reasoned, valid conclusion.

Support conclusions with evidence gathered from a reference table.

Explain results in relation to theoretical knowledge.

Resources required
White board or flipchart and suitable pens or blackboard and chalks
Practical materials specified on the Technical Information sheet
Some spare copies of the student worksheet
Planned activities (timings can be altered to suit shorter or longer lessons)
Timings/
minutes

Teacher / Student Activities

End of
previous
lesson

Preparation students given theory on urine production. Students to

consider possible problems that could arise during urine production.
This could be presented as class discussion. Students to be reminded
of Benedicts test and Biuret test, as experienced in AS syllabus.

0-4

Introduction to the aims, intended outcomes and shape of the lesson teacher led oral presentation

4-8

Context briefly discuss urine production and potential problems with

it teacher led discussion / question and answer session.

8-12

Introduction to method teacher to discuss appropriate terms to

describe colour, clarity, and odour of urine. Teacher demonstration of
correct way to determine odour. Optional teacher demonstration of
Benedicts and Biuret tests.

12-20

Student preparation exercises students to work through second

box on page 1.
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Appendix 2
20-50

Carrying out the practical students carry out entire investigation on

at least 1 urine sample (all three samples, time permitting) and tidy
away apparatus when they have finished.

50-60

Drawing together the threads - teacher-led discussion on the

diagnoses the students have come to. Discussion on skills used and
developed. Introduction to write up, students to complete report as
homework.

Useful information
Students should construct a table that shows the tests carried out, the results
obtained and any conclusions based on the results of the tests.
Explanations of the results should be related to metabolic reactions and the role of
the kidney, giving reasons why sample 1 is more likely to be from a diabetic than
sample 3, why sample 2 is more likely to be from a person with protein urea and why
sample 3 is more likely to be from a person with renal failure.
Students should make reference to;

the role of the liver in converting glucose to glycogen and the role of the
pancreas in monitoring and responding to glucose concentration in the blood,

the role of the kidney is reabsorption of glucose and the effect of high blood
glucose on reabsorption,

the structure of the Bowmans capsule and capillary wall in relation to pore size
and the normal filtration of these layers,

A suitable table of results would incorporate columns indicating the number of

the urine sample being tested and rows indicating the test results of each of the
different urine tests. A final row could indicate the proposed diagnosis of each
particular sample.

The following is a brief guide to the clinical problems indicated by abnormal urine
results, in relation to this investigation:
Colour

colourless or pale

diabetes or chronic kidney / renal disease

Appearance

hazy or cloudy

bacterial infection or blood cells present

Odour

ammonia

urea breakdown by bacteria

foul or putrid

bacterial infection

sweet or fruity

diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)

<4.5

respiratory acidosis or starvation

>8.0

urinary tract infection

Protein

present

protein urea or renal disease

Glucose

present

diabetes mellitus or renal disease

pH

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Appendix 2
Technical Information
Urine Analysis Evaluating and reporting on observations

Prepare 3 urine samples as follows:

Sample 1(patient suffering from diabetes)

250 cm3 distilled water

1 g sodium chloride
1 g potassium phosphate
2 g glucose powder
A few drops of fruit juice
to give a fruity smell

Sample 2 (patient suffering from protein urea)-

250 cm3 distilled water

1 g sodium chloride
1 g potassium phosphate
1 g albumen powder)
3 cm3 1M ammonia
(pH10)

Sample 3 (patient suffering from renal disease)-

250 cm3 distilled water

1 g glucose powder
1 g albumen powder

All samples can be coloured to appear more realistic by adding tea, yellow ink,
food colouring or dye.

Albumen powder may be substituted by other proteins, for example 1cm3 egg
white.

The apparatus and materials required for this are listed below.
The amount of apparatus listed is for one student or one group of students if they
are to work in groups.
For some of the chemicals, it is convenient to make up more than is required in order
to give sufficient quantities for accurate measurement.

The urine samples may be prepared up to a week in advance but may require
either gently shaking or inverting prior to use as particulate matter will settle.

It is suggested that students complete a whole investigation on each urine

sample but to save time, some students could investigate only sample 1, some
only sample 2 and some only sample 3 and then the class may share results.
1

10 cm3 of each urine sample

Benedicts reagent

Biuret A solution (Sodium hydroxide)

Biuret B solution (Copper II sulphate)

Universal indicator paper and comparison chart

Test tube

Boiling tube1
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Appendix 2
8

250 cm3 beaker

3 dropping pipettes or other suitable pipette

10 Bunsen burner, tripod and gauze or access to a water bath set at >60C)
11 6 x 10 cm3 graduated pipettes / syringes / measuring cylinders

Safety Precautions/Risks.
Sodium chloride = H (Irritant only)
Ammonia = C, N
Benedicts = H, N
A risk assessment should be carried out as a matter of course.

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